Fiat Tipo 1.6 110 Multijet II, car review: Promising start to Fiat's assault on the C-sector

The saloon is the first of three vehicles that will use the Tipo name, alongside a hatch and an estate

John Calne,Autocar

Thursday 22 October 2015 13:33 BST

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The Tipo has plenty to go at between now and its UK launch

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The new Fiat Tipo is more than just a car. It’s a taste of things to come.

That’s because this is the first of three vehicles that will use the Tipo name. One will be a hatch, another an estate, and they’ll be here around six months hence.

In the meantime, we have the Tipo saloon. This won’t be the biggest seller in the UK, if it comes here at all. But Fiat wants to be taking on the Focus and Astra – and this is our first drive of the car they plan to do it with.

First impressions are quite promising. It looks tidy, and definitely not like a car that aims to sell on price. Having said that, it’s been designed to appeal to buyers across three continents, so it’s definitely trying to be universal.

Inside, it’s roomy and usable, with a 500-litre boot and comfortable seats.

The Tipo has been designed to appeal to buyers across three continents

We tested the Tipo in 1.6 Multijet II turbo-diesel form. This will be the range-topping engine; it was mated to a six-speed manual box, though we didn’t find this wasn’t the most exciting of its kind.

Nor was the chassis, which is derived from the Jeep Renegade. It didn’t allow any great handling revelations, though it did let a good bit of road noise into the cabin.

So the Tipo has plenty to go at between now and its UK launch. There’s a lot of skill among the C-sector cars already on sale. What Fiat will add to them is yet to become certain.